Holiday activities for young kids that they will remember forever

Holiday activities for young kids that they will remember forever By Karen Bleakley

My kids are part of the tech generation. They would happily spend 24 hours watching kids opening eggs full of toys or watching someone playing a computer game on YouTube. We moved to Australia from the UK to give them an outdoor lifestyle. But it’s something we need to take the lead on because if it was up to them they would happily sit in front of screens all day even when the sun is shining.

We love to travel, and when we go we don’t take iPads. Instead, we try to find REAL life holiday experiences for the kids to enjoy. We want them to do and see things themselves instead of watching it play out on a screen.

Holiday activities for young kids that they will remember forever

These are some lifelong holiday experiences you can give your kids that they will always remember. We haven’t done all of these yet, but we are working on it!

Go whale watching.

I’ve been on two whale watching trips in Australia and it was such an amazing experience. Both times the boat rocked around lot and it was quite choppy, so I’m going to wait for my kids to be a little older before I take them so I won’t have to worry about keeping hold of them so tightly, but for older ones this would be so much fun.

Watch turtles coming in to lay their eggs or watch their eggs hatch.

This can involve waiting around in the dark so it’s probably another one best reserved for older kids, but it is such an experience.

Hand feed wild dolphins.

There are lots of places around Australia where you can do this – we’ve done it in Monkey Mia, Bunbury, Tin Can Bay and on Moreton Island. The kids loved it and even little ones can get in the water.

Snorkel.

From the age of about six, kids can often take part in snorkel tours as part of a group. Little ones will get a lifejacket for added safety (older ones can use a noodle). It will open their eyes to the underwater world  and give them a new appreciation for our oceans.

See the stars.

I love getting away from light pollution and showing the kids the stars. You see their eyes light up and their mind trying to comprehend the enormity of space and time. It’s something that shows them that the world is so much bigger than them.

Dig for fossils or gems.

My kids love gems and fossils, so they adore having the chance to dig for them. We went fossicking for thunder eggs once and it was a real treat. Next I’d like to try hunting for some precious gem stones.

Toast marshmallows on a campfire.

Few things are more exciting than being allowed to toast marshmallows on a real camp fire. I don’t do camping (unless you count glamping!) but we booked the kids into a Junior Eco Rangers kids club on Fraser Island during our stay last year and they got to do it. They still say it was one of the best things they’ve ever done.

Go to a live show.

We’ve just been to see Dan TDM live in Brisbane during our school holidays (a famous UK YouTuber in case you didn’t know!). It was the first stage show like this that we’ve taken our seven-year-old twin boys to. Seeing their little faces when we surprised them with the tickets was priceless. They have come home so inspired and excited – they’ve insisted that I buy a domain name for them so they can start their own website and YouTube channel all about dinosaurs because of feeling inspired by Dan TDM’s success! Next I’m thinking of booking tickets to Deadly 60 (I just hope they don’t want a pet snake after it!) If you’re going on holiday, check out what is on at the local theatres to see if there is anything your kids would enjoy.

Learn to surf.

What a great way to get your kids to burn off some energy than on a surf lesson. My kids are all just old enough to do this so I’m looking forward to booking them on a lesson on our next trip.

There are so many holiday activities for young kids that they will remember forever. And the best part is many of them are free or don’t cost very much.  The most important part is that you’re there with them sharing the experience.

About the Author

Karen Bleakley is the author of Don’t Panic! A Practical Guide to Twins, Triplets and More. She’s also the blogger behind the talesofatwinmum.com – a family, travel and lifestyle blog.

What holiday activities for young kids does your family love?